Thoughts and Writing from Lee Cope

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Yet Another Ledger

As the light started filtering through the curtains, Wilom finally looked up. His notebook had been new last week, but now he had less than 10 pages left. And he’d only read half the ledger.

And he still hadn’t found anything worth mentioning.

He rubbed his eyes and dropped his head onto the page.

He wished it wasn’t too early to go to the kitchen. He desperately needed a coffee.

~

Wilom struggled through a disappointingly small number of pages before giving up and going to meet Vanda.

She was waiting for him outside the café. They picked a table and sat down with their menus.

Vanda folded her menu up. “What are you getting?”

“I think that smoked one. I haven’t had it since visiting the lighthouse keeper.”

“Mm. I’ll have a white tea, I think. I’m not in the mood for something very strong.”

They put the menus down and ordered.

“How many new?” Wilom asked.

“None. There’s nobody but soldiers and supply trains left out there. The closer towns, I think, are just praying the war doesn’t move closer to them right now. If the war does get there … I don’t know how much more we can do.”

“Sorry.”

“What for? I don’t really mind not having much to do.” Vanda tried a brittle smile, then looked down at her cup. “Did you want to go see the ferryman soon?”

“Not yet. I still need to figure out what to say to him. I feel I should have something to offer, you know?”

“You’re just putting it off?”

He was. He knew it. “Yeah, well, maybe going to negotiate with the immortal agent of death is a little intimidating.”

“Try the lighthouse keeper sometime.”

Their tea arrived.

Vanda swirled the teapot and poured a cup. Wilom took a moment to breathe in the smoky smell.

“No. I just don’t think we should shove a hand up the horse’s arse until we’re sure it’s the only way to make it shit.”

“Charming. But point taken. I just really want to get this done, you know?”

“Don’t worry,” Wilom said. “I promise, it will get done.”

Without looking up from her cup, Vanda said, “I’m sorry I’m always on your case about the ferryman.”

Wilom shook his head and tried to joke the apology away. “You know I’d never get anything done without you.”

Vanda sighed. “Stop it. I’m not some inexorable force pushing you towards things. At least, I’d better not be. I don’t want to have to be that annoying. And you know I’m not responsible enough for that anyway.”

“No,” Wilom said quietly. “You’re right. That wouldn’t be fair.”

“Good.” Vanda fiddled with her cup. “I really don’t want to have to worry about you and the ferryman anymore, though.”

“I’m sorry.”

Vanda took a breath and tapped the handle of her cup. “The lighthouse keeper,” she said. “It’s the lighthouse keeper.”